[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1653-1654]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-581]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Approval of Noise Compatibility Program, Tulsa International 
Airport, Tulsa, Oklahoma

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its 
findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the Tulsa 
Airports Improvement Trust for Tulsa International Airport under the 
provisions of Title 49, USC, Chapter 475 and CFR part 150. These 
findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and 
nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On June 
16, 1999, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by 
the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust for Tulsa International Airport 
under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On 
December 9, 1999, the Administrator approved the noise compatibility 
program. All of the recommendations of the program were approved.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of the FAA's approval of the Tulsa 
International Airport noise compatibility program is December 9, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy L. Tandy, Department of 
Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham 
Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas, 76137, (817) 222-5635. Documents 
reflecting this FAA action may be reviewed at this same location.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice announces that the FAA has given 
its overall approval to the noise compatibility program for Tulsa 
International Airport, effective December 9, 1999.
    Under Title 49 USC, section 47504 (hereinafter referred to as 
``Title 49''), an airport operator who has previously submitted a noise 
exposure map may submit to the FAA a noise compatibility program which 
sets forth the measures taken or proposed by the airport operator for 
the reduction of existing noncompatible land uses within the area 
covered by the noise exposure maps. Title 49 requires such programs to 
be developed in consultation with interested and affected parties 
including local communities, government agencies, airport users, and 
FAA personnel.
    Each airport noise compatibility program developed in accordance 
with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) part 150 is a local program, 
not a Federal Program. The FAA does not substitute its judgment for 
that of the airport proprietor with respect to which measures should be 
recommended for action. The FAA's approval or disapproval of FAR part 
150 program recommendations is measured according to the standards 
expressed in Part 150 and Title 49 and is limited to the following 
determinations:
    a. The noise compatibility program was developed in accordance with 
the provisions and procedures of FAR Part 150;
    b. Program measures are reasonably consistent with achieving the 
goals of reducing existing noncompataible land uses around the airport 
and preventing the introduction of additional noncompatible land uses;
    c. Program measures would not create an undue burden on interstate 
or foreign commerce, unjustly discriminate against types or classes of 
aeronautical uses, violate the terms of airport grant agreements, or 
intrude into areas preempted by the Federal Government; and
    d. Program measures relating to the use of flight procedures can be 
implemented within the period covered by the program without derogating 
safety, adversely affecting the efficient use and management of the 
navigable airspace and air traffic control systems, or adversely 
affecting other powers and responsibilities of the Administrator 
prescribed by law.
    Specific limitations with respect to FAA's approval of an airport 
noise compatibility program are delineated in FAR part 150, Sec. 150.5. 
Approval is not a determination concerning the acceptability of land 
uses under Federal, state, or local law. Approval does not by itself 
constitute an FAA implementing action. A request for Federal action or 
approval to implement specific noise compatibility measures may be 
required, and an FAA decision on the request may require an 
environmental assessment of the proposed action. Approval does not 
constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the 
implementation of the program nor a determination that all measures 
covered by the program are eligible for grant-in-aid funding from the 
FAA. Where Federal funding is sought, requests for project grants must 
be submitted to the FAA Airports Division Office in Fort Worth, Texas.
    The Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust submitted to the FAA on May 
26, 1999, the noise exposure maps, descriptions, and other 
documentation produced during the noise compatibility planning study 
conducted from May 18, 1995 through May 26, 1999. The Tulsa 
International Airport Noise exposure maps were determined by FAA to be 
in compliance with applicable requirements on June 16, 1999. Notice of 
this determination was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 
1999.
    The FAR Part 150 Study for Tulsa International Airport contains a 
proposed noise compatibility program comprised of actions designed for 
phased implementation by airport management and adjacent jurisdictions 
from the date of study completion to the year 2002. It was requested 
that the FAA evaluate and approve this material as a noise 
compatibility program as described in Title 49. The FAA began its 
review of the program on June 16, 1999 and was required by a provision 
of the Act to approve or disapprove the program within 180 days (other 
than the use of new flight procedures for noise control). Failure to 
approve or disapprove such program within the 180-day period shall be 
deemed to be an approval of such program.
    The submitted program contained seven proposed actions for noise 
mitigation on and off the airport. The FAA completed its review and 
determined that the procedural and substantive requirements of Title 49 
and FAR part 150 have been satisfied. The overall program, therefore, 
was approved by the Administrator effective December 9, 1999.
    Outright approval was granted for all of the specific program 
elements: (1) Continue airport's existing noise concern/citizen liaison 
program, (2) update and review the FAA part 150 study, (3) voluntary 
acquisition of residences, (4) voluntary sound attenuation of homes and 
churches, (5) voluntary purchase of avigation easements, (6) voluntary 
sales assistance with avigation easement, and (7) noise monitoring.

[[Page 1654]]

    These determinations are set forth in detail in a Record of 
Approval endorsed by the Administrator on December 9, 1999. The Record 
of Approval, as well as other evaluation materials and the documents 
comprising the submittal, are available at the FAA office listed above 
and at the administrative offices of the Tulsa Airports Improvement 
Trust, Tulsa International Airport Terminal, P.O. Box 58138, Tulsa, 
Oklahoma 74158.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, December 23, 1999.
Joseph G. Washington,
Acting Manager, Airports Division.
[FR Doc. 00-581 Filed 1-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M